Charter schools offer alternative educational choices for children throughout the country. Each charter school will have a different approach and central philosophy and it really opens the doors on the education that is available for your child. If you have a gifted child, you may be looking for an educational alternative that works better for your family and situation. A charter school may be the perfect solution. There are five things you should look for when hunting for a charter school for your gifted child.
Focus on the Child
A child-centered school focuses on helping the children find their strengths. There is often more room for exploration in the classroom, and the focus is on child growth and learning. This is a good fit for a gifted child because the focus is on learning and not other issues.
Flexibility in Acceleration
According to the Colorado Board of Education, gifted children need the opportunity to study at an accelerated rate in a variety of different subjects. Many charter schools offer more flexibility in allowing children to study ahead or to move between grades to complete their schoolwork. Look for a charter school that has a clear plan in place for advanced students.
Parent Involvement
Another aspect you should consider is the amount of parent involvement that is expected at the school. Many schools have a minimum number of volunteer hours that need to be met each year. In addition, learn where those hours are spent with the children or doing more administrative work. You can get a good idea of the focus of the school from the type of volunteer hours they need.
Reputation
Take the time to review the charter school's reputation in the community. You can look at online sites, but you should also check with current parents of children who are attending the school. Additionally, you need to check with local board of education that is overseeing the school to see if there are any complaints or citations. There are wonderful charter schools out there, but there are also some not so great ones and it is important to do your research.
The Right Fit for Your Child
Take the time to find a charter school that is the right fit for your child. Many schools will allow your child to visit a classroom for the day or for part of it. A school tour is also an important part of choosing the school. Look at the classrooms and the discipline structure to make sure that this environment will be the right one for your gifted child. Each child is different and so is each school, so will need more info. You should be able to find a good match for your child.
